On May 1st Worcester City Manager Eric Batista announced his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 operational and capital budget. For the first time in Worcester's history the city's budget is over one billion dollars. The day after the first of two City Council hearings on the proposed budget Worcester Mayor Joe Petty spoke with Spectrum News and gave his thoughts on the proposed FY '27 budget and some areas of emphasis, namely the Department of Public Works, "So we reviewed DPW, which has been a big issue in the city of Worcester when it comes to potholes and snow removal. We know thoroughly enough, I think (DPW Commissioner) Mr. Westland was there for about two and a half hours answering questions. We're investing heavily into that department, buying new equipment, trying to make sure that people, that we have job fairs, that they fill these empty positions, so we don't have the same issues this winter coming forward."

When asked if billion dollar budgets are sustainable for the city Petty added, "I think it's all relative in my mind. And most of that goes to the schools, some of the city's schools and there's fixed costs, so it probably leaves the (City) Manager an extra $200 million to really go spend... its fixed costs, its labor, to make sure that we have the proper personnel here in the city of Worcester."

The next Worcester City Council budget hearing is scheduled for May 26.